Alumni Spotlight

Anastasia Berrier

B.A. Biochemistry, 2009M.S. Forensic Science and Law, 2010

Anastasia Berrier is employed by the Forensic Toxicology Division of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System in Rockville, MD.

She works as an Analytical Toxicologist in the Military Working Dog (MWD) Division providing narcotics training aids to commands in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Her division serves bases in the U.S. and abroad, which train military working dogs to detect drugs. Six different drugs are distributed to the bases including cocaine, heroin, MDMA, methamphetamine, hashish, and marijuana. Previously performed by NCIS, this task has been overseen by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System for a number of years now.

Also, involved with Anastasia’s duties is a recall and replacement of old aids from the bases. Her position in particular requires her to check the recalled aids for evidence tampering and test the substance for validation. Involved in this process are color tests, microscopic analysis (for marijuana), FTIR, and GC/MS. Her results are reported back to the bases.

In regard to the Forensic Science and Law Program, Anastasia can be quoted as follows: “I liked that we were given such a variety of courses and learned about so many different forensic disciplines. I think that setup allowed us to figure out in what area we would be most comfortable, but it also made me feel that I would be able to hold my own in an entry-level position in any field, and that was a huge help during my job search. I also really liked the small size of the program, which let us get to know so many of our professors closely and feel comfortable coming to them for help.”